ANR UPDATE, 27(2), Summer 2008

Innovative Ways of Organizing

It can seem overwhelming to stay current with new communication tools available on the web, by cell phone, or in person. But don't let these strategies pass you by. Many techniques available today can help you improve your coalitions and smokefree campaigns. To help you navigate through this new frontier, we've listed some of these innovative ways to educate and organize.

• Are you on Facebook?- www.facebook.com
  
  Facebook, a social networking website, is a tool that allows you to create groups and events and extend your network by regional and interest searches. Smokefree St. Louis City has more than 800 people in its Facebook group because of its networking features, and they have used it to promote and turn people out for smokefree social events and to keep supporters posted on relevant news clips.
  
  
• Just text [message] me.
  
  In South Carolina, the state advocates keep grassroots supporters updated on up-to-the-minute legislative decisions via text messages. You can do this either by creating a group contact list in your cell phone or computer's address book or coordinating a special opt-in code with your network provider. When collecting supporter information, be sure to have respondents specify if their phone number is a land line or a mobile/cell phone.
  
  
• Glam it up!
  
  Signature petitions are so old school. Instead, take pictures to connect a face to a name. Smokefree Jackson (Wyoming) took signature gathering to the next level, by taking Polaroid pictures of supporters and asking them to write their personal stories along the bottom. The coalition's "Polaroid Project" is a visual representation of support for a smokefree Jackson, which is taken to media events and council meetings. A low-cost alternative would be to use a digital camera rather than a Polaroid. This could also work well with short video clips. Go to www.YouTube.com to upload your clips online for free!
  
  
• Monthly Smokefree Happy Hours or Dinners
  
  A great way to build coalitions in an informal environment is to host monthly happy hours or dinners with a (very) brief agenda. Some coalitions use this as a way to highlight a different partner organization each month, giving them additional visibility. These events are particularly popular in urban areas and college towns. And you can support smokefree restaurants and bars in the process!
  

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